Cognizant has announced a collaboration with Microsoft to launch the Innovation Assistant, a generative AI-powered tool built on Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service with claims it's "one of the largest known enterprise-scale deployments of chatbot technology".

The tool is designed to augment Cognizant's internal innovation program, Bluebolt, and aims to strengthen Cognizant's ability to co-innovate with clients. The Innovation Assistant is .

The Innovation Assistant is designed to generate context-based ideas and solutions while safeguarding sensitive information and client confidentiality. It is integral to Cognizant's Bluebolt grassroots innovation movement, which allows Cognizant employees at any level to contribute to the innovation process.

Cognizant said it was committed to maintaining high standards for responsible and ethical AI, focusing on safety, security, privacy, transparency, and inclusion.

"The creativity and ingenuity of Cognizant's people is one of the things that sets us apart in our industry, and we see our Innovation Assistant as a game-changer in the way we generate and implement ideas," said Ravi Kumar S, Cognizant's CEO. "Together with Microsoft, we are harnessing the power of generative AI to revolutionise our approach to innovation, with the goal of ensuring we, and our clients, stay ahead in a rapidly evolving business environment."

Puneet Chandok, President, Microsoft, India & South Asia, also commented on the collaboration. "It's amazing to see the power of gen AI enable innovation at different levels of an organisation with Cognizant's Innovation Assistant. They have used AI to create a platform that unlocks the potential of individuals and teams," he said. "Built on Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service, Cognizant's platform is a force multiplier that aims to enable customers to gain access to insights from enterprise data and stay ahead in the ever-evolving digital landscape."